Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration of the Amlarem Civil Sub-Division at Amlarem Playground in West Jaintia Hills, marking fifty years since its establishment in 1976.
The event saw the presence of ministers, MLAs, MDCs, government officials, traditional leaders, students, and residents from across the region.
To commemorate the milestone, Sangma unveiled foundation stones for two major projects — a Rs. 3.45 crore Multi-Purpose Hall at Amlarem and another Rs. 74 lakh Multi-Purpose Hall at Amlariang, Nongtalang — aimed at improving community infrastructure.
In his address, the chief minister paid tribute to founding leaders H. Enowell Pohshna and Johndeng Pohrmen, and to Renswit Jungai and Welbin Jungai, who donated land for the Civil Sub-Division Office.
He acknowledged the contributions of former and current officers and citizens in driving Amlarem’s progress over the decades.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to decentralised governance, Sangma said several new Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks have been created while existing ones are being strengthened.
“Every one of the state’s 46 Block offices now has a new building, and 10 new blocks have been established with full infrastructure,” he noted.
Adding to the celebrations, Sangma announced the sanction of a Mini Secretariat for Amlarem.
“I would like to see work begin within this Golden Jubilee year. Amlarem is the oldest sub-division and it definitely deserves a Mini Secretariat,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced additional funds for the Amlarem Water Supply Scheme, internal road construction, and renovation of the Sub-Division.
He further sanctioned Rs. 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant towards the jubilee celebrations.
Emphasising education as a driver of progress, Sangma lauded Mission Education, launched under Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, through which nearly 80% of government schools have been renovated or newly constructed.
He also announced plans to introduce a Digital Front Office System at the block level, allowing citizens to access essential government services locally.
“Our goal is to ensure that no citizen has to travel beyond their block to access services,” he said.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who was present at the event, reminisced about witnessing the first inauguration of the Sub-Division by then Chief Minister Captain W.A. Sangma in 1976.
He noted Amlarem’s remarkable growth — from just a handful of schools and offices to over 30 Lower Primary Schools, 20 Secondary Schools, two colleges, and offices of all major departments on Monday.
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Rymbui described the 50th anniversary as “a new beginning, not an end,” and called for the revival of orange cultivation in the War Jaintia region, once famous for exports to Bangladesh.
He also appreciated the government’s support for new initiatives, including the upgradation of the Community Health Centre and the newly sanctioned Multi-Purpose Halls.
The celebration featured cultural performances, traditional dances, and songs by students and community groups.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by the Rangbah Shnong of Amlarem and the State Anthem performed by students of Mang Hai Ryum Higher Secondary School.
The Golden Jubilee marks not just fifty years of administrative service but a renewed commitment to inclusive development, community partnership, and responsive governance in Amlarem and beyond.
